Calls for help with school costs are up 10% compared to previous years, the charity reported, as they are receiving almost 300 calls a day from worried parents. The Society of St Vincent de Paul called on the Government to “to prioritise investment in measures to address educational disadvantage” in a statement August 26. Marcella…
Some 170 Irish pilgrims departed from Cork Airport yesterday (Wednesday) on board a specially-chartered plane organised by Marian Pilgrimages for Medjugorje. It marks one of the first post-coronavirus organised pilgrimages to the Bosnian town where local children first reported apparitions of the Mother of God in 1981. It has been a popular destination with Irish…
The greatest threat to Catholic education is a “lack of identity from within”, the bishop of Derry said in his address to schools for the new school year. “Unless we have some idea of what we stand for, we have nothing to communicate that justifies us being a separate sector,” Bishop Donal McKeown said, August…
Fr Daniel Swartz, chaplain to the US Marines, has safely left Afghanistan amid increasing Taliban control in the state following a period in which he provided pastoral services to Catholic Marines deployed in the country. Fr Swartz’s departure coincides with the US’ formal withdrawal of all troops from the country and the evacuation of Afghanistan’s…
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that places of worship in the Republic can increase capacity to 50% from September 6, but that mask-wearing will continue to be the norm – at least for now. Social distancing will also remain in force in churches for at least six weeks. The increased capacity is expected to allow…
A leading support organisation for pregnant women has launched a campaign to promote more positive reactions around pregnancy after clients reported experiencing negative reactions. Crisis pregnancy organisation Gianna Care decided to launch the initiative following reports from client of off-putting and derogatory comments from family members, friends and work colleagues. Gianna Care Director Carolyn O’Meara…
Catholic schools have rigorous protocols in place to remain open after they return next week, despite concerns about Covid-19, parents have been assured. “We’ve been here before, we’re used to dealing with this particular situation,” Seamus Mulconry of the Catholic Primary Schools Management Association (CPSMA) told The Irish Catholic this week. He said that “cautious confidence…
After a report on workplace deaths from 2011-2020 showed that 40% took place on farms, Fr Paddy Byrne urged farmers to be “cautious and careful” during the harvest season. Fr Byrne, who leads an annual prayer service to commemorate farm deaths, said that deaths on farms are “unfortunately much too frequent in Ireland”. “There is…
The bishop of Limerick congratulated the hurling team on their win, adding that there are many lessons outside of sport to be gleaned from their achievements. In a statement, Bishop Brendan Leahy praised the “profound” message coming from the squad and the backroom staff – that together “we can climb mountains”. “For me, there was…
The Islamist terror group’s return to power in Afghanistan will embolden extremists worldwide, the director of Aid to the Church in Need Ireland has said, putting vulnerable Christians at even more risk. The failure of the US and its allies in Afghanistan “validates” the ambitions of Islamists worldwide, Dr Michael Kinsella said. “Other Islamists will…
Ruadhán Jones
Michael Kelly